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Weather in Israel

31 January 2009

Incoming missile alert system sounded at around 6:50 a.m. to residents in the Southern Israel. Two rockets slammed into the Eshkol region, one landing between two kindergarten buildings. A third exploded in the Sdot Negev region. (see map below)

Shrapnel from a rocket riddled a Children Crossing Sign near a School

Two hours later, Gaza snipers opened fire at IDF troops patrolling near the security barrier near the Kissufim Crossing. IDF troops returned fire.

30 January 2009

29 January 2009

تنسيق-الكليات-لعام سكس نيك كسThe words of a reservist returning from duty in the south.

...I have to tell you how extraordinary this nation is. The children who wrote to us, the people who sent their good wishes with their packages of food, the businesses that sent truckloads of goods. The soldiers I served with, each one caring deeply about the other one. The IDF who made sure that we were well trained and well equipped for our mission. But mostly. Mostly. This was a war that was guided by the Hand of G'd. Everyday we felt His presence -- whether deciding to enter a building by smashing down the back wall rather than entering through the front door, only to discover that the front door had been booby trapped, or searching rooms in a house and uncovering a tunnel under a bed we had lifted where tens of Hamas terrorists were hiding in the hopes of kidnapping one of us...

25 January 2009

I spent sabbath at home thinking about the Gaza war. Meeting with my neighbors who had been there. Telling Mrs. DoubleTapper and our children about the acts of heroism and bravery that I had witnessed.

Being a civilian soldier, a reserve officer in the IDF is a great honor and an awesome responsibility. It's not always easy to put thoughts into words. So when I saw this poem I knew that I would never be able to say it better.

Heading into Gaza

A slow line enters Gaza.The brigade commander has a factory.The regiment commander is an engineer.The company commander is a science teacher.The platoon commander is in the standing army.The company sergeant sells holy books.The sergeant is something of a carpenter.The squad commander is presently unemployed.The private is a retiree.

But they’re all excellent soldiersMarching in a slow line, in the tranquil night.Entering enemy territoryWithout fear.To fight for their nationLike their parents did for them.

The brigade commander has a back-ache.The regiment commander has high cholesterol.The company commander has indigestion.The platoon commander just doesn’t look good.The company sergeant has eye problems.The sergeant has insomnia.The squad commander has the itchies.The private has warts on his foot.

But they’re all excellent soldiers.Sneaking through the gloom in a slow line.Entering enemy territory.Forgetting that they are spoiled and sensitive.Bombarded each day with drops, creams and tablets.Suddenly they’re healthy.

The same people who fear medical shots and dentists.Are suddenly brave.They know longer fear anything.They just do what they have to.For the sake of the Jewish People.Because what you’ve got to do, you’ve got to do.

They’re no longer thinking about themselves.But about the national mission.Because we’ve shown more than enough restraint.And this is just round one.

The brigade commander is a Leftist who opposes settlements.The regiment commander is a settler who favors settlements.The company commander votes for a centrist party.The platoon commander is national religious –Torn between two and a half parties.The company sergeant is very Ultra-orthodox.The sergeant is a socialist.The squad commander has voted for everyone.The private can never decide.

But they’re all excellent soldiers.Marching in silence, in the dark of night.Under the smiling moon.With tense fortitude.

Those same peopleWho on politics and religionCan never agree on a single thingSuddenly become brothers Comrade de Guerre, war buddies. Devoted to each other With all their heart.

Suddenly all agreeThat the best thing we haveIs our countryAnd our Defense Forces.And they’re all readyTo smite the enemy hardOnce and for allTo leave us in peace.

23 January 2009

تنسيق-الكليات-لعام سكس نيك كسI was released from reserve duty today. I actually came home last night for the first time in two weeks.

I went to synagogue this morning and said the prayer for deliverance and went back to my unit to finish up some final paperwork. I put my uniforms away and prepped my kit bag for the next call up.

Now that it is officially over I will try and collect my thoughts and post some of my observations here.Feel free to ask any questions here in the comments or via email. I will try and answer them for you.

"Defiance, a new film about three Jewish brothers who saved 1,200 fellow Jews during World War II (based on a book by Nechama Tec), has inspired many moviegoers. But it has also occasioned scurrilous allegations that seek to diminish the Bielski brothers’ heroic accomplishments.

BulletFlight is a new application has been launched for the iPod touch to help gun users line up a clean shot at their target.

Users can mount their iPod touch to their rifle, and then use the iPod’s touch-screen to tap in details about the wind conditions, ammunition type, distance to the intended target and even the wind speed.

“Unlike other apps, BulletFlight does not output information in table format,” says the application’s iTunes page. “What it does do is dynamically give you the solution you need now to take that shot.”

The application features built-in profiles for three weapons – the M110 semi-automatic precision rifle, the KAC PDW, and the 14.5in SR16 rifle – although users can add more weapons into the app.